Cattle-guard



(NdModeL) I v JiSWEGLES.

CATTLE GUARD; I No. 429,393. PatentedJune 3, 1890.

Tiliil T I i 7 I 1 i- E 4 f 1 I I l M E 1 i i i 1 i ,1 z 5 i E E E a a a 2 I a 21 F N i E l I i i Witnesses: lVH/EYILEH: John EWEqLEE v UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

J OHN'SWEGLES, OF WAYNE, MICHIGAN.

CATTLE-G UARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,393,. dated June 3, 1890.

Application filed February 25, 1890. Serial No. 342,160. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, JOHN SWEGLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wayne, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cattle-Guards, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in railway-surface cattle-guards; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction of movable gates or platforms arranged in the track normally horizontal, and so arranged that when an animal steps upon one end thereof a gate or platform is thrown up across the track, which is free to fall back again as soon as the animal withdraws; and, further, in the peculiar construction, combination, and arrangement of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the guard raised, and Fig. 3 is a vertical central view through the guard as lowered.

A are the rails of the rail road-track to which my device is applied. I show it as applied only between the rails; but it is evident that similar devices may be applied upon each side of the track, between the track and the fences.

B is a movable platform, of a width slightly less than the distance between the rails, and

pivotally supported upon suitable brackets.

outer end of the gate H is supported parallel with the track by means of the bracket L.

M is a downwardly-projecting arm secured centrally to the inner edge of the gate H and provided with an aperture N, in which the arm G of the lever E engages, the bend F of this lever bearing upon the shaft J.

The parts being thus constructed, they are intended to be operated as follows: The normal position is shown in Fig. 3, in which position the platforms rest parallel with the rails, the platform B being next to the road. As the cattle in attempting to cross step upon one end of the platform their weight will depress it, raising the inner end, and with it the arm E, which, acting through the arm G, engages with the arm M of the gate H and raises the gate to the position shown in Fig. 2, forming an apparent barrier to the passage of the animal. As soon as the animal retreats the gate by gravity will fall to its normal position, and thusleave the track free for the passage of the trains.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a railway cattle-guard, the combina tion of the centrally-pivoted platform and the vertically-moving gate pivoted at the end of the platform, the downwardly-curved arm on the platform engaging a depending bracket uponthe gate, substantially as described.

2. In a railway cattle-guard, the combination of the platform B, centrally pivotally supported, the'gate I-Lhaving armsI pivoted upon the shaft J, and the apertured arm M, the curved lever E upon the platform, hav-' ing bend F and arm G, and the bracket L, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 15th day of February, 1890.

JOHN SWEGLES.

WVitnesses:

Orro ZIEGLER, OHARLEs SooTT. 

